The Catcher in the Rye Vocabulary: Chapters 1-4 Definitions and audio provided by Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Hemorrhages  A rapid or uncontrollable loss or overflow (of blood)  Noun  …My parents would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything person about them.  Listen to the Pronunciation Listen to the Pronunciation

Ostracized  To exclude from a group by common consent  Verb  The whole team ostracized me the whole way back on the train.  Hear the Pronunciation Hear the Pronunciation

Qualms  A feeling of uneasiness about a point especially of conscience or propriety  Noun  Do you have any particular qualms about leaving Pencey?

Compulsory  Mandatory or enforced  Adjective  …he made us have compulsory study hall in the academic building…  Hear the Pronunciation Hear the Pronunciation

Groping  To look for something blindly or uncertainly  Verb  I started groping around in front of me, like a blind guy, but without getting up or anything.  Hear the Pronunciation Hear the Pronunciation

Sadistic  Characterized by a sexual perversion in which gratification is obtained by the infliction of physical or mental pain on others (as on a love object)  Adjective  Hear the Pronunciation Hear the Pronunciation  I was pretty sadistic with him quite often.

Ironical  Relating to, or containing irony.  Characterized by contradiction  Adjective  Hear the Pronunciation Hear the Pronunciation  It was very ironical. It really was. “I’m the one that’s flunking out of the goddam place, and you’re asking me to write you a goddam composition,” I said.

Exhibitionist  A person who purposely behaves in a way to attract attention to themselves.  Noun  All I need’s an audience. I’m an exhibitionist.  Hear the Pronunciation Hear the Pronunciation